Based on the related literatures of CNKI and Web of Science Core Collection Database, the research status and future development direction of plantation soil fertility at home and abroad were investigated by using bibliometrics method in order to provide reference basis for subsequent scholars to study in this field. VOSviewer visualization software, HistCite citation map analysis software were performed for the quantitative analyses of countries, research institutions, authors, hot spots that involved in this area. All the relevant literatures used were published before 2021. The annual volume of literature published in this field is increasing gradually, and the top three countries are China, the United States and Brazil. China is the first to conduct research in this field, and has more cooperation and exchanges with the international community, and the total citation frequency of literature ranks in the forefront. Domestic research institutions are mainly forest-related universities and institutes affiliated to Chinese Academy of Sciences. Internationally, the literatures issued by Ohio State University were outstanding quality and frequently citation. At present, the research in this field at home and abroad mainly focuses on the compositions of soil microbial community, soil nutrient contents and the relationship between soil fertility maintenance and plantation, but the related research is mostly in the quantitative description stage, and does not involve the functional metabolism of microbial community, the underline mechanism in the turnover of organic materials in soil fertility maintenance. This study clearly shows the current research hotspots and future development trends in this field, and provides reference values for relevant personnel. In brief, the cooperation and exchange between domestic and foreign peers, interdisciplinary integration and the supplement of new research strength may be the key to effectively promote this research field in the future.